Integrated methods for teaching population health.

The Institute of Medicine recommends reforms to public health education to better prepare the public health workforce. This study addresses the application of two of the recommended reforms in the population health nursing curriculum at one university: use of an ecological model and distance learning methods. Using interdisciplinary faculty, integrated teaching and learning methods, and a multimedia curriculum, this study examined the following question: can distance learning be designed to support learning goals and outcomes specific to an ecological approach and population health concepts in general? Course content was evaluated using students' perception of practice utility and understanding of population health concepts.

Oregon's Senate Bill 560: practical policy lessons for nurse advocates.

In response to striking rates of childhood obesity in Oregon, advocates led by a nurse lobbyist proposed legislation in 2005 to regulate junk foods in public schools. Several theories propose to explain the policy-making process, yet Senate Bill 560 (SB 560) followed a twisted course through rule making, legislative and political processes that are not well articulated in policy theory. Three overlapping mechanisms were identified in content analysis of documents and interviews with participants in the SB 560 policy process.

Teaching epidemiology: the role of the public health nurse.

With the baccalaureate as the desired entry level to practice for community health nurses, schools of nursing must ensure their content and methods are robust and current to the fields of both nursing and public health. A foundation in such diverse areas as population biology and population genetics is now desirable for practice. Combining principles of adult learning and case study methodology, this article describes the development of a central case study with extensive related components.

Interplay of politics and law to promote health: improving economic equality and health: the case of postwar Japan.

The health situation in Japan after World War II was extremely poor. However, in less than 35 years the country's life expectancy was the highest in the world. Japan's continuing health gains are linked to policies established at the end of World War II by the Allied occupation force that established a democratic government.

Outbreak investigations: Community participation and role of community and public health nurses.

Community and public health nurses (C/PHNs) may play a vital role in the investigation of disease outbreaks. C/PHNs possess skills in conducting interviews on sensitive subjects and in collaborating with communities. C/PHNs maintain key links to community providers, symptomatic clients, their families and associates, as well as community institutions where outbreaks occur.